WALES V SCOTLAND (Sunday KO 3pm)

WALES will give skipper Sam Warburton extra time to prove his fitness after injury concerns emerged about potential deputy Justin Tipuric for Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland.

The captain and openside was forced off at half-time in last weekend’s win against Ireland in Dublin after suffering a dead leg.

Ospreys flanker Tipuric replaced him and enjoyed a terrific 40 minutes but he damaged an ankle.

That leaves coach Warren Gatland with severe problems at seven and it is likely that he names Warburton in his side at 4pm today and then allows the medical team to make a late call on the skipper’s fitness.

“We are pretty positive about Sam because he is getting better every day,” said Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde.

“He needs a bit more time. The signs are looking good and the medical team are confident he will be able to take a full part in training tomorrow.

“The longer we give him to rest the better his chances are going to be, so we’ll do the same as we did last week and avoid putting undue pressure on people.

“Obviously Sam’s a very important player for us as captain and given the way that he performs, so he deserves a bit more time.”

Should the captain not get the green light, then Newport Gwent Dragons back row forward Toby Faletau could move from number eight to deputise.

He wore the number 7 jersey in the World Cup third/fourth play-off defeat to Australia when Warburton was suspended following his semi-final red card.

If Gatland is forced to repeat that move then it is likely that Andy Powell would come in at number eight with Dan Lydiate returning from his ankle injury at blindside flanker.

Ryan Jones, who impressed at six at the Aviva Stadium, is set to move into the second row after Bradley Davies was banned for seven weeks for recklessly dumping Ireland’s Donncha Ryan into the turf off the ball.

The Cardiff Blues lock’s suspension means that he will play no further part in the Six Nations.